Reactance Theory, the new one from Juliet Ruin’s upcoming EP “Regime,” kicks off with that big hard-rock energy — clean vocals cutting through, guitars hitting just right, the whole thing moving with confidence. But give it time; somewhere along the way it twists, gets a little meaner, a little heavier. Stick around for that turn.
“This song came together with a lot of input from each member,” the band explains. “Wes brought in the initial hook guitar lead, and we built it piece by piece. It’s probably one of the most collaboratively written songs we’ve ever done. When Jess first wrote melodies she mistook the verses for the chorus. That’s why this entire song is belted and catchy. Once we realized what Jess had done, it made for our most high-energy tune on the EP.”
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The title draws from psychologist Jack Brehm’s concept of reactance — that inner pushback when something threatens your sense of freedom. The band turns that idea inward, exploring the tension between instinct and restraint, impulse and structure. The result feels deliberate but unforced, as though the band simply followed the current where it wanted to go.
The video, premiering today right here on IDIOTEQ, leans into that idea too. It captures the band in motion, the camera close enough to catch small details — Jess Fleming’s phrasing, the interlocking guitars of Wesley Rands and Kent Geislinger, Jesse Bauman’s timing behind the kit. It’s performance without pretense, a reflection of how Juliet Ruin work as much as how they sound.
Formed in 2015 in Edmonton, the band has always lived in the space between heaviness and melody. Their music draws from modern metal and alternative textures, with a sound they describe as “chunky, groovy, pretty, powerful, and catchy.” Fans of Spiritbox, Jinjer, Scion, or Alexisonfire will recognize the pull, but Juliet Ruin’s direction is their own — grounded, intentional, quietly restless.
Their forthcoming EP “Regime,” out November 7, 2025, continues that progression. Across its five tracks — “Reactance Theory,” “Chrysalis,” “Poems by a Poltergeist,” “The Art of Being Wise,” and “Regime” — the band moves between reflection and confrontation. “This EP is everyone’s favorite so far,” they say. “We’ve struck a good balance between our heaviest subject matter and our most vulnerable moments.”
Much of the band’s writing begins with Jess’s personal journals before it’s shaped collectively. The result is music that feels both intimate and outward-looking, personal but not private. The artwork by Feen Murray — abstract skulls and hearts intertwined — mirrors that idea, suggesting the quiet friction between emotion and thought.
Live, Juliet Ruin translate those ideas into precision and movement. Their shows are as focused as their recordings, but never detached. Jess’s vocals hold that same directness that runs through the studio work — disciplined but human. For upcoming performances, they’ll be joined by guest bassist Dale Myroniuk (Dahlmers Realm, Breaking the Silent), adding another voice to an already connected ensemble.
Produced by Juliet Ruin and Diego Fernandez and mixed at Oracle Recording Studios, “Regime” marks a new stage for the Edmonton group — a refinement.
